Chad McLeod 5th to file for at-large Lakeland Commission seat

Ledger staff

Tuesday

Apr 16, 2019 at 12:41 PMApr 16, 2019 at 3:02 PM

LAKELAND — A fifth contender has filed to run in the race for Lakeland's open at-large seat on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Chad McLeod is the owner of the Lakeland-based public relations firm McLeod Communications. He has completed the pre-qualification paperwork and submitted it to the City Clerk's Office, his campaign said in a release Tuesday.

“When I think about what's ahead for Lakeland, it's a promising time for our community and important that we have strong leadership. I look forward over the next few months to meeting with my fellow residents, hearing their ideas and sharing my vision for our city,” McLeod said in a release.

Prior to starting his communications firm, McLeod was an in-state aide to Republican U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. McLeod is also the son of Nolan McLeod, who was the Auburndale police chief until his death in 2012. He is married to Erin Larson McLeod and they have three children. The family lives near Lake Hollingsworth.

The race for Commissioner Justin Troller's seat is thus far the only contested one of three on the Nov. 5 ballot as Commissioners Bill Read, Northeast District, and Phillip Walker, Northwest District, have not drawn competition, according to city records. The qualifying period ends Sept. 20.